All The President’s Men, Spotlight, The Post. All of these are films I hold in high regard about real stories where journalism makes a difference in matters that concern us. She Said comes pretty damn close in its telling of the story of how two journalists of the New York Times helped bring to light… Continue reading SHE SAID
Author: Mark Saldana
Austin Film Festival 2022: SAM & KATE
If one were to look upon the poster for this film, it would be easy to assume that Sam & Kate tells a lengthy story of two lovers/spouses through the course of their relationship. How can anyone not expect that? Casting Dustin Hoffman, Sissy Spacek, Hoffman’s son Jake, and Spacek’s daughter Schuyler should easily deceive… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: SAM & KATE
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
Much of the world was floored by the death of gifted actor Chadwick Boseman. As he was so well loved and respected, his loss has been a major blow to not only the hearts of his fans, but also to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Originally, the producers and filmmakers behind the Black Panther segment of… Continue reading BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
Austin Film Festival 2022: GOOD NIGHT OPPY
During this year’s Austin Film Festival, I was only able to watch a couple of documentary films, as opposed to narrative feature movies. Still, both of the entries I watched succeeded in appealing to very different facets of my mind and emotions. The first of which, actually captured my heart in ways I had not… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: GOOD NIGHT OPPY
Austin Film Festival 2022: ARMAGEDDON TIME
From writer/director James Gray, comes what is obviously his most personal film so far. Based on his childhood in 1980s Queens. New York, Armageddon Time is a gorgeous looking and sometimes powerful time capsule movie that does of solid job of capturing the emotions, problems, in addition to the good times experienced by Gray and… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: ARMAGEDDON TIME
Austin Film Festival 2022: AFTERSUN
Scottish filmmaker Charlotte Wells makes her feature film debut with a powerful examination of human suffering and the struggles to stay afloat while drowning in sorrow. I know that sounds completely morose and depressing, but Wells knows how to balance the joys of living, along with the opposite side on a very thin tightrope. Wells,… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: AFTERSUN
Austin Film Festival 2022: CAUSEWAY
Jennifer Lawrence’s career may have begun in independent cinema, but after receiving universal acclaim for her breakthrough role in Winter’s Bone, her career was launched into stardom. Well, after working on various, high-profile, sometimes big budget projects, Lawrence has decided to take a beat and return to her roots. Her latest performance is in a… Continue reading Austin Film Festival 2022: CAUSEWAY
Fantastic Fest 2022: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
Never have I ever been so conflicted and confounded by a movie, that I can only come to the recognition of the fact that human behavior is so complex and bewildering. And that is definitely a huge credit to Martin McDonagh who has crafted such a film that seems so simple on the surface, but… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2022: THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
Fantastic Fest 2022: DECISION TO LEAVE
So many great filmmakers brought movies to Fantastic Fest this year. Much of whom, I have admired multiple films of theirs in the past. This year the festival screened new releases by Martin McDonagh, Luca Guadagnino, Ruben Östlund, and one South Korean director Park Chan-wook. All of these movies were no-brainer choices for me when… Continue reading Fantastic Fest 2022: DECISION TO LEAVE
TAR
After sixteen years, a Todd Field movie is finally going to see the light of day. After a moderately successful and respectable acting career during the late 1980s through the early 2000s, Field decided to make his directorial debut in 2001 with the critically acclaimed In the Bedroom. Five years later, Field struck more acclaim… Continue reading TAR